Motivated by a love for cars since he was a teenager, Purcell, 57, embarked on his career by serving as a certified mechanic for luxury models and high performance sports cars. During the next three decades, his vision for the future of transportation and the role that electric vehicles could play led him to a series of progressively more strategic and influential roles within General Motors (GM).
"Boston-Power is bringing to the transportation industry a game-changing lithium-ion battery that delivers unmatched levels of high energy density, safety, low cost, fast charge and environmental sustainability," said Boston-Power Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud. "As a pioneer in the electrification of transportation, Bob Purcell brings a perfect combination of invaluable insights, real-world experiences, and an established, international executive network to our company. We’re thrilled to add him to our team."
From 1994 to 2002, Purcell led the GM Advanced Technology Vehicles Group (GM ATV). GM ATV was responsible for the development and production of the GM EV-1, the world’s first modern electric vehicle, which went into production in 1996. His organization also developed and produced the S-10 Electric Truck and developed the GM Precept Hybrid Vehicle, which was part of President Clinton’s Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles program.
Many of the technologies pioneered at GM ATV are still widely used today throughout the industry in electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. In addition to his responsibilities at GM ATV, he also served as chairman of the GM-Ovonic Advanced Battery Joint Venture.
Prior to completing his career at GM in 2008, Purcell served as vice president of global planning, sales and strategic alliances for the General Motors Powertrain Group. In that position, he was responsible for global business and technology planning for GM’s engine and transmission operations. His organization also managed Powertrain’s $2 billion annual direct component sales and $1 billion technology licensing activities.
"I’ve been looking for a battery like Boston-Power’s for 20 years," Purcell said. "I knew immediately upon meeting the team and reviewing the technology platform that I wanted to play a role within the company. In addition to being in mass production and embodying the right combination of capabilities in terms of extended range, weight and space, safety, cost and quick recharge, Boston-Power’s batteries are the only ones to earn stringent certifications for environmental sustainability. They’re already being well received by the auto industry and I’m confident they will be adopted for a range of vehicles by manufacturers around the world."
Purcell currently serves as founder and president of Purcell & Associates, LLC, a senior advisory group specializing in advanced automotive and alternative energy investment projects. His clients have included companies ranging from MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, to EDC Automotive, an emerging leader in automotive thermal management systems.
Boston-Power’s products have earned the company worldwide recognition. Last month, the company earned a prestigious Technology Pioneer Award from the World Economic Forum. Proving that a commitment to environmental sustainability can complement sought-after, competitively differentiated products and world-class mass manufacturing, Boston-Power counts HP among its customers – making it the first U.S.-based firm ever to provide battery technology to a global notebook PC vendor.
Boston-Power is the first and only battery provider whose rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells have earned the prestigious Nordic Ecolabel accreditation. The company’s products have also earned a similar industry-first certification from the China Environmental United Certification Center (CEC).
Boston-Power, Inc. is an award-winning provider of next-generation lithium-ion battery technology. Designed to fuel a wide range of applications, its flagship offering, Sonata ®, serves as the foundation for HP’s new brand of longer lasting notebook batteries that also help the environment – the HP Long Life Battery. The company’s Swingâ„¢ product delivers unmatched capabilities for Plug-In Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles (PHEV/BEV). Founded in 2005 and with more than 100 patents filed, Boston-Power is led by founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Önnerud, an internationally recognized innovator, entrepreneur and technology advisor with regard to portable power, energy storage and climate change. To date, the company has raised $125 million in venture funding from Foundation Asset Management, Oak Investment Partners, Venrock, GGV Capital and Gabriel Venture Partners. Boston-Power is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, and has Six Sigma-level mass manufacturing operations in Asia.
